Hello world! This is Amy. My book Beautiful is being published next week and I can’t wait! I got my first copy in the mail a few days ago, but my mom stole it before I could show it off to everyone. Luckily, I should be getting more any day now. I can’t believe how gorgeous it turned out. Everyone at Simon Pulse did an incredible job.
I’ll be posting a lot more soon about myself, Beautiful, writing, updates about events, and anything else that comes to mind, including photos, interesting links, and works-in-progress. Check back often! I’m really excited to get to know you, so feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.
In the meantime, here’s a synopsis of Beautiful, my debut YA novel, which is being released October 6, 2009! It’s available for pre-order NOW anywhere you buy books online, and should be showing up in bookstores next week.
When Cassie moves from the tiny town where she has always lived to a suburb of Seattle, she is determined to leave her boring, good-girl existence behind. This is Cassie’s chance to stop being invisible and become the kind of girl who’s worth noticing.
Stepping into her new identity turns out to be easier than Cassie could have ever imagined…one moment, one choice, changes everything.
Cassie’s new existence both thrills and terrifies her. Swept into a world of illicit parties and social landmines, she sheds her virginity, embraces the numbness she feels from the drugs, and floats through it all, knowing that she is now called beautiful. She ignores the dangers of her fast-paced life…but she can’t sidestep the secrets and the cruelty.
Cassie is trapped in a swift downward spiral tinged with violence and abuse, and no one—not even the one person she thought she could trust—can help her now.
Yikes. That stills gives me shivers.
That’s all for now. Will write again soon.
Smiles,
Amy
P.S.—Here’s a picture of me with my dog Peanut on her first hike. My husband Brian and I adopted her the day before from the Berkeley, CA SPCA. You’ll probably be hearing a lot more about her.
Me and Peanut at Tilden Park (Summer, 2009)
I have read through the first 40 pages in a blink and only stopped because I had to sleep. Singular and genuine, the novel is as natural a read as can be had. It escapes the genre of teen fiction but couldn’t possibly leave behind any reader. The story is personal and universal in its joy and challenge. The truth buoys the heft of the subject, but one doesn’t worry for the heroine portayed. Fantastic and engaging from word one. Congratulations Amy.